level

level
{{11}}level (adj.) early 15c., from LEVEL (Cf. level) (n.). To do one's level best is from 1851.
{{12}}level (n.) mid-14c., "tool to indicate a horizontal line," from O.Fr. livel "a level" (13c.), ultimately from L. libella "a balance, level," dim. of libra "balance, scale, unit of weight," from PIE *lithra. Cognate Sp. nivel, Mod.Fr. niveau are from the same source but altered by dissimilation. Meaning "horizontality" is from c.1400. Meaning "position as marked by a horizontal line" is from 1530s. Phrase on the level "fair, honest" is from 1872; earlier it meant "moderate, without great ambition" (1790).
{{12}}level (v.) mid-15c., "to make level," from LEVEL (Cf. level) (n.). From c.1600 as "to bring to a level;" 1958 as "to cease increasing." Meaning "to aim a gun" is late 15c. Slang sense of "tell the truth" is from 1920. To level up "to rise" is attested by 1863.
A word here as to the misconception labored under by our English neighbor; he evidently does not understand the American manner of doing things. We never level down in this country; we are always at work on the up grade. "Level up! Level up!" is the motto of the American people. [James E. Garretson, "Professional Education," in "The Dental Cosmos," Philadelphia, 1865]
To level off "cease rising or falling" is from 1920, originally in aviation.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Level — Lev el (l[e^]v [e^]l), n. [OE. level, livel, OF. livel, F. niveau, fr. L. libella level, water level, a plumb level, dim. of libra pound, measure for liquids, balance, water poise, level. Cf. {Librate}, {Libella}.] 1. A line or surface to which,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Level — or levels may refer to: Contents 1 Places 2 Engineering related 3 Science and mathematics …   Wikipedia

  • Level 42 — Datos generales Origen …   Wikipedia Español

  • LeveL — is a computer and video games magazine originating in the Czech Republic with branches in Romania and Turkey. These three brother divisions occasionally exchange content. In addition to publishing the magazine, LeveL also organizes many yearly… …   Wikipedia

  • level — [lev′əl] n. [OFr livel < VL * libellus < L libella, dim. of libra, a balance, level, weight] 1. an instrument for determining, or adjusting a surface to, an even horizontal plane: it has a glass tube partly filled with liquid so as to leave …   English World dictionary

  • Level E — レベルE (Рэбэру E) …   Википедия

  • Level — Lev el (l[e^]v [e^]l), a. 1. Even; flat; having no part higher than another; having, or conforming to, the curvature which belongs to the undisturbed liquid parts of the earth s surface; as, a level field; level ground; the level surface of a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Level C — 快楽の方程式 Level C (Keiraku no Houteishiki Level C) Жанр яой Манга Автор Футаба Аой, Мицуба Курэнай Издатель …   Википедия

  • level# — level vb point, train, *direct, aim, lay level adj Level, flat, plane, plain, even, smooth, flush are comparable chiefly as applied to surfaces and as meaning having a surface comparable to that of a perfectly calm body of water with no part… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Level-5 — Тип Частная компания Год основания Октябрь 1998 Расположение …   Википедия

  • Level — Lev el, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Leveled} ( [e^]ld) or {Levelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Leveling} or {Levelling}.] 1. To make level; to make horizontal; to bring to the condition of a level line or surface; hence, to make flat or even; as, to level a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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